[flours]

hi!

I don't know what to do with my life.
I just finished a degree at university and studied a combination of things that doesn't clearly suggest a specific career. there are things I can do well and I know about a lot but it is nothing useful in economy. don't really want to go in further detail.
it's not that I haven't been thinking about what I might do later but it all turned out differently. one career I would like is very very hard to get and it will take years of hard work without money. then I tried something else which I thought all these years I've been studying that it would be the thing to provide money. but I learned quickly that my skills aren't that appreciated and the job isn't fun but only frustrating. half a year I came home crying from doing that. (while studying).
I had a difficult time on and off work since then. during the time I slipped into depression, that's why I am on this forum. and now I don't know if there will be anything in my life again that seems meaningful work wise. I don't think so.
all these years of hard work at school and university I spent to get prepared for **** I hate doing. and now I'm stuck with it for the rest of my life.

does anyone have any idea how to find out what you want to do with your life? (if your original plans don't seem feasible)
-sure there are things I like and I am gifted at but I just won't get payed for them.

[Little Lulu]

"one career I would like is very very hard to get and it will take years of hard work without money".

That one sentence from your post would be a good start to find your ideal work. If what you want to do takes too long, look for things within that realm that really appeal to you.

Most work falls into categories i.e. health care, accounting/investments, technology/design, administrator, teaching/child care, social services, restaurant/food, blue collar work such as construction or truck driver, etc. Not all-inclusive list but you get the idea.

I recently read that some people in the US who would like be a physician are opting for physician assistant school because the cost and time investment are so much less ... a creative solution, I think.

[hvert]

I love the title of your post

I would focus on the soft rather than the hard. Instead of thinking of a subject or industry, think of the types of interactions you enjoy:

Do you like working with people?
Do you like working alone?
Do you like being outside?
Would you want to work the same hours every day?
Do you like helping people?
Do you want to work in a very structured environment where everything is predictable and there are rules to follow?

etc, those kinds of questions. What is it that appeals to you about your dream job?

I also highly, highly recommend taking just any old job that sounds mildly interesting to see what it is like. The best way to learn what you do and don't like is by trying. I've surprised myself by finding out that what I think I want in a work environment isn't that much fun in real life (like you learned).

[H3rmit]

Looks like some good advice, above. All I can say is I hear you. I often hate everything and find nothing meaningful. :/

[Bluesday]

At best I've been able to force myself to tolerate jobs....but yeah, I've found nothing I particularly like and WANT to do for 8 or 9 hours a day.